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A SONG OF SERVICE 



BY 



JOHN R. HAND 
(just plain John) 



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DEDICATED TO THE WORKINGMEN OF AMERICA. ESPE- 

CIALLY MY FATHER. \A/HO TAUGHT ME 

BY PRECEPT AND EXAMPLE. 

THE DIGNITY OF 

LABOR. 



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Pentecostal Publishing Company, 
Louisville. Kentucky, 



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''Saxa et solitudines respondent voci; immanes bestae sapae 

Flectuntur atque consistent cantu; nos instituti 

Optimus rebus, non moveamur voce 

Poetanim?" 

—Cicero, pro Archia, poeta. 



A SONG OF SERVICE. 

(An Allegory.) 

I. 

The lowering clouds piled ibank on bank, 
And poised against the ebon sky; 
The fitful gusts of blinding rain; 
The thunder's roll; the lightning's crash; 
The lashing tree tops in the wind, 
Proclaim the coming hurricane. 

And as I turned me from the furrowed field 
Where all day long in eager ceaseless toil, 
I'd labored earnestly, my soul cried out 
Unto the elements. Faith, Love, and Hope, 
Were gone. My life re^bellious seemed to bend 
Unto the spirit of the coming storm. 
"Oh God," I cried, ''If Thou indeed can hear 
The prayers that mortal utters unto Thee, 
Why hast Thou left me thus alone, to work 
And struggle on a tiller of the soil? 
Have I not loved Thee, served Thee earnestly? 
Has not my heart in love gone out to Thee? 
Does not my voice proclaim Thy lasting praise? 
Then why hast Thou withheld from me, alone 
A message to the world that Thou art God? 
I would that I might stand with pleading voice 
Before the multitude. Or that my life 

5. 



6 A SONG OF SERVICE. 

Be spent in foreign climes to teach Thy Word. 

Oh God, not selfishly I pray, but ask 

That my life might be spent for Thee alone." 

Tjius prayed I unto God rebelliously. 
And as I prayed my misty eyes grew dim, 
I threw myself upon my lowly couch 
And ere my tired form could rest at ease 
I slept. 

II. 

I felt a touch upon my brow. 
A maiden fair and beautiful to see, 
With outstretched arms she beckoned me to 

come. 
''What wouMst thou. Maiden?'' spake I unto her. 
She answered not a word but took my hand 
And, helping me arise, she led me forth. 
And unresistingly I followed on. 
We seemed to rise into the starry night, 
The dark world sank and melted from our view, 
Yet felt I no distrust but followed on. 
And then we came within a realm of light. 
The stars were gone and all the universe 
Was bathed in radiant glow, so dazzling bright 
My eyes were blind. I turned me to my guide. 
And as I turned she spoke^ — 
"Oh, foolish mortal, in thy feeble strength 
Thou daredst rdbel against Almighty God. 
Thou daredst to plead against thy human lot, 
As if the God that madest thee knowest not 



A SONG OF SERVICE. 7 

How thou must live to love and serve Him best 
Thy foolish prayer came to the throne of God, 
And He, Great Heart, that bled on Calvary, 
For thee did intercede, and I am sent 
To guide thee thus into the light of Truth. 
"Know thou, oh man, that in the plan Divine 
There is no 'great' nor 'small.' 'Tis only man 
Who magnifies the value of his sphere. 
To God, the smallest form has equal worth 
With mighty monarchs sitting on their thrones. 
For who neglects the smallest deed or thought 
Makes mighty ones impossible to do; 
As he Who fails to lay foundations firm 
Despoils the builder of a fortress strong. 
"But that the lesson thou mightst learn indeed, 
And unto all the world the message give, 
Immortal's sight I briefly grant to thee. 
Thou who didst doubt the wisdom of thy God, 
Thou who didst grieve the hardness of thy lot. 
Oh puny man, rebellious one, Behold 1" 

And as she spoke the radiant light was changed, 
My eyes began to pierce the brilliant glow. 
Behold, I stood within a country fair 
And wonderful to view. Broad streams were 

flanked 
By stately palms and fields of waving grain. 
The lowly cot of worker here and there 
Was decked with flowers and pennants waved 

aloft. 
It seemed a gala holiday. 



8 A SONIG OF SERVICE. 

Along 
The broad highway there pressed a mighty 

throng, 
Who shouted, sang, and laughed, with one accord. 
Again I turned unto my guide. She spoke — 
"This kingdom is called Righteousness. Within 
Its realm no blighting sorrow ever comes. 
Here Happiness, and Joy, and sweet Content 
Are ever found. Here Justice reigns supreme. 
But now the Monarch's edict has gone forth 
To all the subjects of his kingdom grand. 
This day the greatest day of all shall be. 
For Justice groweth old, and ere the scythe 
Of Death, grim reaper, cut him down would 

choose. 
From out the subjects of his mighty land, 
Three men as helpmetes to his daughters three, 
And whosoe'er shall please the eye of Love, 
The eldest of the three, shall be made king 
And reign supreme when Justice pass away. 
"But come, the day is growing old, and would 
We see the gathering at the Capital 
We must away." She clasped me by the hand, 
And ere the balmy breeze could sway a leaf, 
Ere flashing ray could kiss the flowerlet sweet. 
With speed of thought we moved upon the air. 
And stood within a courtyard rich and grand. 
Oh wondrous scene! How can the tongue of 

man 
With mortal speech such view entrancing tell? 



A SONG OF SERVICE. 9 

Broad marble walks, betrimmed with gold, were 

edged 
With velvet sod and flowerlets bright and fair. 
And here and there a sparkling fountain played 
'Neath stately trees, with leaves of every hue 
That caught the brilliant sunshine's dazzling ray 
And flashed it to the gold fish as they played 
Within the fountain's cool and balmy depths. 
The graceful antilope, with mincing steps 
Selects a way unto the fountain's brink, 
While warbling songsters 'mid the leafy trees 
Rend all the air with heavenly melody. 
And where unites these leafy avenues 
There forms an open space where stands the 

thrones 
Of sovereign Justice, and his daughters three, 
Fair Prudence, wisdom, and the radiant Love. 
In ebon blackness rose the monarch's throne, 
Nor robe, nor drapery graced the monarch's 

chair, 
Lest in the midst of ease and luxury 
Shouldst mighty Justice be debauched in shame. 
At either side there stood a smaller throne. 
Bedecked in raven robes, where Prudence sat 
With Wisdom, ever at their father's side. 
And at his feet in startling contrast stood, 
A pure white chair where sat the radiant Love. 
And as I gazed the sound of music sweet 
Was waften on the telmy breeze to me. 
I heard the marching of a multitude; 



10 A SONG OF SERVICE. 

The trampling steed; the rumbling sound of 

wheels ; 
The shouts of men, th^ songs of women fair; 
And blending all the voice of children sweet 
Sang praise to God and glory to their king. 
And then, emerged from out the verdant way, 
This glorious throng approached the monarch's 

throne. 
First came the radiant Love, so fair to see, 
That could 'I e'en despoil the tongues of men. 
Should all in Nature give its grace and strength, 
And fairest flowers their beauty should 'bestow. 
Should azure skies and starry depths of night 
And all the 'universe lend valiant aid, 
Yet would the face and form of Love surpass. 
Next came the hoary monarch, old and blind. 
Upon the left fair Prudence tripped along 
With stately Wisdom on the right to guide, 
And followed on the mighty multitude. 
Then Justice to his raven throne approached 
And mounting high with firm and steady step 
He turned his sightless eyes and faced the throng. 
And then the populace grew strangely dumb 
As Justice spoke with voice untamed by years. 
"Good friends,'' he said, ''I've called you here 

today 
To bid farewell to all I know or love, 
For ere yon blazing sun shall span the sky 
Shall Justice be no more. A thousand years 
In peace and quietude has Justice reigned 
And yesternight as on my couch I lay 



A SONG OF SERVICE. 11 

A vision came to me. My blinded eyes, 
That ne'er since first the breath of life I drew 
Discerned the light — ^^beheld an angel fair. 
She spoke to me and said, 'It is enough. 
Thy mission here is almost made complete. 
From out the populace shall come a man 
To reign when thou art gone. But fear thou not 
For God shall guide thy choice and unto him 
Whom God will send to rule shalt thou bestow 
Thy daughter Love to wife.' Throughout th'3 

land 
My valiant sons have gone. Discretion bold, 
And Judgment have gone out to find the man 
Who might with Love rule o'er this mighty land. 
Today they shall make known whom they have 

found 
And should by God's good grace the man appear, 
Then justice shall depart and die in peace." 

He ceased and from the multitude there came 
A handsome youth and strong, with flaxen hair 
And bright blue eyes and cheeks of rosy hue. 
He .humbly knelt before the monarch's throne 
And thus addressed the ruler of the land — 
"Oh mighty monarch of a mighty land. 
Discretion speaks to thee. Throughout thy land 
In patient search I traveled far and near. 
In hamlet, town, and city fair, I looked 
For one whom God mi^ht please to reign with 

Love. 
At length within a mansion bright and fair 



12 A SONG OF SERVICE. 

I found a man whom all the people loved. 
A handsome man is he and one of might, 
And when he speaiks all people stop to hear. 
His name is Wealth, the eldest son of Thrift, 
Thy faithful subject and thy faithful friend. 
But ere he comes (before thy mighty throne 
I ask to know whom Judgment may have found.'' 
"' Tis well. Oh son of mine. Thy words do please 
Mine ear. I would that Wealth mig'ht thus await 
And Judgment shall make 'known whom he hath 

found." 
Again there came from out the multitude 
A handsome youth. His hair was rave black ; 
His flashing eye pierced like a glowing coal. 
With stately tread he now approached the throne 
And kneeling there, in pleasing voice he spoke. 
"Oh wondrous king! mighty sire! I come! 
Tis Judgment speaks to thee. I traveled far. 
Through every vail, o'er every hill I've gone; 
In every cave and nook 1 searched in vain 
For one so wise, so good and kind and true 
That he might in thy stead rule over us. 
And losing hope, at length I sat to rest 
Beneath a cool and shady forest tree. 
And resting there I found what I had sought, 
A man, not comely to the eye 'tis true, 
But gentle, wise and true to all mankind. 
He came to me as on the ground I lay, 
Like cooling draught the accents of his tongue. 
There is no place within the universe 
But what his brilliant mind has searched it out 



A SONG OF SERVICE. 13 

And made it known. Yet modest too, this man, 
And seeking only truth, not worldly fame. 
For when I first did bid him come to thee 
He thrice refused and said he had no thought 
For worldly crown. 'Tis such a man I found. 
His name is Knowledge, son of Diligence." 
" 'Tis well, Oh son, thy message cheers my heart. 
But ere I make a choice, methinks I hear 
Within this mighty multitude a sound 
Like distant shouts. Can there he discord now? 
Has Justice lived too long and must he pass 
With shout of traitor in his dying ear?" 
And then I saw a mighty man step forth. 
So large, so massive, and so strong was he. 
That all the race were pigmies at his side. 
Around his neck, his arms, his limbs, was wound 
A heavy chain of iron in length on length. 
Yet stepped he forth with ne'er a sign of shame. 
Like monarchs march to rig'hteous war he trod. 
And as I gazed upon this mighty man 
My heart stood still like hird by serpent charmed, 
For as with magic >power I seemed to view 
As in a glass my giant counterpart. 
On either side there marched a stalwart guard. 
The one with sober mien and stern, he seemed 
The elder of the two. But one was kind. 
His gentle face was worn with care and grief, 
Yet ever on his lips there luriked a smile. 
Before the monarch's throne they knelt alone. 
For whom they brought in chains would not 
kneel down. 



14 A SONG OF SERVICE. 

But stood with head erect 'before the king. 
Then he of sterner mien addressed the throne : 
"Oh noble king, thy servant's name is Law. 
O'er all thy land my secret watch is kept, 
And all thy people answer to my voice. 
Thy slightest word by me is made supreme. 
And born through all the land for men to hear. 
But yesterday thy mandate did go forth 
That on this day of days all men should rest. 
Yet as I traveled on my journey here. 
Behold, this man did mow the golden grain. 
I reasoned long but answer gave he none. 
But labored on until the field was bare. 
So bound with chains Fve brought him here to 

thee. 
To punish as thy pleasure thinks it mete. 
Behold this man did disobey thy word, 
Yet he kneels not in penitence to thee." 
The gentler one then spoke, "Oh righteous king, 
My name is Gospel and throughout thy realm, 
Fm known in peasant cot and palace grand. 
Without my ceaseless watch thou coulldst not 

rule. 
And even Law would be despised by all. 
I come to man when sick and sore distressed, 
I whisper words of cheer and strength and love ; 
To him who weak and sinful disobeys, 
I come with strength to fight and overcome. 
For in my arm there is the strength of God. 
Thus came I unto him whom we have brought, 
But ne'er a word of sorrow did he speak; 



A SONG OF SERVICE. 15 

With mighty stroke he swung the hissing scythe 
And labored on until the work was done. 
Then unresistingly with us he came, 
And spake no word impatient or of scorn. 
Then as we journeyed on our way we came 
Unto a chasm deep. Our slippery path 
Lay on the very brink, and as we walked, 
The treacherous earth gave way beneath our feet, 
But ere we fell, both Law and I to death, 
This mighty man with strength unseen before, 
Restored us both and bore us o'er the deep. 
I therefore ask that thou. Oh king, will give 
Unto this man a pardon full and free." 
Then Prudence on whose face there glowed a 

tear. 
With pleading voice addressed the man in chains. 
"Wouldst not thou bend the penitential knee?" 
Then spake the man, his accent bold and deep : 
"Not as a penitential come I here. 
And kneel 'I unto none save God, alone. 
Nor can the force of Law subdue my power. 
Nor did the voice of Gospel bid me come. 
Know thou, Oh king, that in this land of thine 
There is no power can bind me save I will. 
This massive chain, with which Law bound me 

down. 
Would fall like brittle threads from off my arms. 
Should I exert but feeble strength. Behold !" 
And as he spake he flexed his mighty arms ; 
With clanging crash the heavy chains dropped 

down 



16 A SONG OF SERVICE. 

Like spider's web before the sweeper's brush. 
And then the monarch spoke, his voice was low. 
"Then why hast thou before my throne ap^ 

peared?" 
"I come, Oh king, because it's right to come ; 
Because to thee I owe my present strength. 
My name is Labor, son of Toil am L 
When but a lad I was the slave of Greed, 
Bound down with heavy chains I worked for him 
And when my feeble strength was almost spent. 
With cruel lash he urged me on the way. 
And then one day the monarch rode in state. 
Though seeing not he heard my piteous cry — 
When Justice came, then Justice made me free. 
And since that day I've grown in strength and 

might. 
Until through all the land there is no power 
Can curb my will. Yet I have loyal been. 
And e'er respect the imandates of thy court. 
And came I not today to plead a cause 
For Law and Gospel both have truely said 
That on this day of days I did not rest. 
But out the grain although 1 knew thy will. 
I therefore urge that thou wouldst speak my 

doom, 
And to the dictates of thy will I bow." 
"Oh mig'hty man, I love thee. Even now, 
I wouldst that I might act as once before. 
And from a second bondage set thee free. 
But through this land the monarch's word has 

gone. 



A SONG OF SERVICE. 17 

And from that word there can be no reprieve, 
That he must die who wouldst my will despise. 
That word is passed and therefore thou must die/' 
And then the radiant Love with startled cry 
Sprang prostrate down before the monarch's 

throne. 
''Not so, Oh king; not so!" she cried in grief; 
'' 'Tis Love thy daughter, speaks to thee. Oh king. 
And ere this mighty man thou doomst to death, 
II pray thee list unto this word of mine. 
For many years has Labor been my friend. 
When I wouldst fain have cheered some hungry 

soul. 
Or lifted up some tired and weary head. 
My task had failed had Labor not been there. 
And ne'er request so great or way so rough. 
But Labor gladly moved at Love's command. 
And yesterday when at the monarch's word 
The message came that men s'houldst rest today, 
And come to thee to bid a last farewell. 
Behold, I saw the grain was bending low. 
The harvest time had come. The grain must fall 
Or else when winter came the people die 
For want of bread. The harvest must be made 
Today. The morrow were too late to mow. 
And when I saw the harvest would be lost, 
I went to Labor where he lived alone, 
And begged him there upon my bended knee. 
That he would make the harvest ere he come. 
And this he did for Love and not for self. 
Yet he wouldst suffer in my stead, Oh king. 



18 A SONG OF SERVICE. 

And therefore it is I who ought to pay." 
And then in anguish cried the aged king — 
"Oh God! My God! What hast thy servant done! 
What cruel deeds are done in Justice's name ! 
With zeal for right HVe killed my loving child.'' 
And then there seemed a radiant light to shine 
About his head, and groping blindly there, 
He clasped his arms about the maiden's form. 
"No, No! I see it all!" he cried aloud; 
The word of God has been made clear to me. 
I have been blind of heart as well as sight, 
An drunk with power has Justice been debauched. 
Now hear ye all the word that God has sent. 
My son Discretion went him forth to find 
A man who might with power rule over thee, 
And he choose Wealth because he ruled with 

might 
A city grand and people loved him so. 
And he chose well, for Wealth a loyal friend. 
And true has been. But should Wealth reign 

supreme. 
His very strength might prove his overthrow. 
For Wealth a servant, is a loyal friend ; 
But as a master oft destroys the man. 
But some reward on him I wouldst bestow, 
For faithful servant unto me he's been, 
I therefore unto him do give to wife 
My daughter Prudence as a loving guide. 
For Wealth iby Prudence led can ne'er astray. 
Then Judgment came with Knowledge by his 

iside, 



A SONG OF SERVICE. 19 

And chose he him because so wise and kind. 
Yet kindness oft is weaJkness when the man 
Hath not the strength to stand for what is right, 
And knowing much will not subdue the wrong. 
Yet Knowledge has 'been kind and true to me, 
And unto him I now bestow to wife 
My daughter, Wisdom, to direct his way. 
For Knowledge led by Wisdom must be right, 
And blessings to my people they should bring. 
"And then caime forth the man whom God had 

sent. 
A Man so strong that he could disobey 
An unjust word though came it from the king. 
So strong was he that when the stalwart guards 
That brought him here, did almost fall to death, 
(And knowing well that at their death, he stood 
Free from the condemnation of the king). 
Yet grasped their hands and saved them ere they 

fell. 
And then so kind was he that he wouldst shield 
The gentle Love who urged him to the deed. 
That man is doomed to die. The word is passed 
And word of monarch cannot e'er be changed. 
Oh mighty man, whom God hath sent, Behold ! 
'I say to thee that Labor is no more. 
Henceforth thou art called Service. Thou shalt 

reign 
With radiant Love o'er all this mighty land. 
For as in former years I made thee free, 
So now with Love doth Justice make thee king." 



20 A SONG OF SERVICE. 

III. 

And then my eyes with dazzling light grew dim. 
The court, the king, the multitude were gone, 
And with wondrous g'uide I stood alone. 

She spoke : 
''Hast learned thy lesson well, Oh man? 
If so return to earth from whence thou came, 
x\nd trouble not that fortune cast thy lot, 
A working man, to fame and wealth unknown. 
For if with Love thou workest in thy life. 
Thou art a ruler of the universe. 
For there's no power can cope with Labor's 

strength, 
And there's no strength that can Love's plea re- 
sist, 
And hast them both then thou art doubly blest 
And thou shalt bless in service all mankind. 
The master of the world is he who serves, 
And service is but labor done in love." 

I woke as from a stupor deep as death, 

And all the world seemed bright and fair to me. 

The storm had passed. The sun shone brightly 

down. 
The air was filled with music of the birds. 
And all in nature seemed o'erflowed with joy. 
I rose and ere I fared forth to the field 
I knelt in fervent prayer of thanks to God, 
That I was made a tiller of the soil 
To work with love in service to mankind. 




JOHN R. HAND 

(A Preacher with a roving commission.) 
Mark 16:15. 

The "Street Car ' Evangelist 

AN APPEAL TO THE WORKING MAN BY 

ONE OF THE BOYS 

(A MESSAGE THAT MOVES MEN) 

An Ordained Preacher— Six years a Pastor 

six years \a/ith a roving commission 



Employed as Motorman, Conductor, Train Despatcher 
Terre Haute Div., T. H. I. & E. Traction Co. 

Write me for terms and dates. 

Permanent address. 1118 S. 18th St , Terre Haute, Ind. 






mmmi 

015 907 539 4 



